Savotel

The pool was the highlight for us: a big one for swimming, a kids’ pool, and a jacuzzi pool with water massages. Reception staff were lovely, friendly and helpful, and parking right at the hotel was convenient. There’s also a little shop next door. The hotel restaurant food was really yummy. Our room was clean and tidy, though the location isn’t especially great. There was a socket by the bed, but only on one side, which was a bit of a faff.

Room 508 had a nice view, the air conditioner was quiet, everything worked properly, and there were TV channels in lots of languages. Towels and water were replaced daily, and the room got a proper cleaning every three days. The staff were very nice and friendly, though they barely spoke English. Breakfast was delicious, even if many dishes repeated. There were several kinds of rice, noodles, vegetables and eggs to choose from, plus they’d make a fresh omelet in front of you. The watermelon, pineapple and other fruit were especially good 🩷 The main drawback in the room was the air conditioner blowing straight across the bed. I got sick just before leaving 😞. The pool was warm and good, about 150 cm deep, but for some reason the kids’ pool had a lot of sand and wasn’t very comfortable. Pool towels were available to take to the beach and return afterward. The area is quiet and safe, close to the sea, and nearby shops are cheap. But with the Ambassador hotel not operating as it used to, there aren’t many tourists around, and lots of cafes and stores are closed or barely open. Songthaew drivers often work only as taxis and ask 200-300 baht for a ride. I liked staying here 🩷, especially if you want a quiet holiday by the sea.

The pool is beautiful and relaxing, and the location suited us because it was quiet and out of the way. We paid 850 baht a night, which was good value and about 40% cheaper than many other hotels when we booked in December. Still, after 15 nights, we probably wouldn’t stay again. Our room wasn’t ready until 2:30 pm, and when we checked in it was dirty, so we asked for it to be cleaned again. The cleaner seemed unhappy about that. We found the cleaners lazy and unfriendly, often sitting on their phones and rarely smiling. They seemed to improve later on, and I think someone from head office may have spoken with them. Reception also got better as the weeks went by, perhaps after a meeting with head office. At first, staff repeatedly asked if they could help while we were standing in reception, even after we told them we were staying there. They were often on their phones, and when we asked three times for money to be changed for a taxi, they said we had to buy a drink first. The security guards were on their phones all the time too, often playing games. The head chef was the friendliest person there and always said hello and good morning. The room was okay but dated, with old furniture and air conditioning that was neither cold nor hot. The bed and pillows were comfortable. The jacuzzi wasn’t working when we were there. Doors kept slamming in the early hours every night, making it hard to sleep, and the hotel walls are very thin. Pool towels were available, though the weeds around the pool need attention. We were an Australian couple and have travelled around Southeast Asia for 18 years. In all that time, these were probably the unfriendly staff we’ve come across.

For a budget room, the price is fair, and I’d stay again if I were watching my spending. I was there for nine nights in February 2024. The room was a decent size and relatively clean, with a mini fridge and about six usable sockets for charging things. Inside, it was basic: a small TV, kettle, little wardrobe without shelves or drawer space, and a shower that wasn’t very powerful or hot. The key controls the electricity, so leaving the room turns off the power and air conditioning. That means no charging your phone during breakfast and coming back to a hot room. Staff were polite and said hello and good morning, though they didn’t speak much English, which made communication difficult. The pool was a decent size and warm; I only used it once. I wasn’t impressed with breakfast. There wasn’t much choice, the service was often poor, fruit was sometimes low because guests filled their bags with it, and the omelette station was often unattended.